Resource training centre at UDSM gets a boost

Rotary Dar Marathon and Bank M Tanzania Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby the latter will contribute Sh. 350 million this year for the second phase of the refurbishment of the State-of-the-Art Entrepreneurship and Resource Center, at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). The project which started six years ago is currently being undertaken by the Rotary Dar Marathon as part of the club’s initiative towards promoting education in the country. Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday after signing a MoU, the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer (Commercial) Ms.Jacqueline Woiso said his bank is proud to be the major partner in this project to the event as part of the Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR). She said, for the sixth year now, Bank M Tanzania Ltd has joined hands to become the main partner of the Rotary Dar Marathon in its sporting events such as walking and running long distances which are normally held in every 14^th of October (in an occasion to honour Nyerere Day) in Dar es Salaam. In this occasion, the Rotary Dar Marathon club usually receives contributions from various organizations participating in the event from its fund raising meetings which it organizes in order to get money for the sustainable social development projects in the country. “Bank M Ltd has always been on the front line supporting community based projects and our policy has always been working hand in hand with other reputable organizations in making a difference to the Tanzania community” she said. She added that, “this particular project is evidently a landmark of our commitment to work together with The Rotary Clubs to reach goal of making a positive change to the community welfare”.  He also added that “the Resource center at the UDSM will become the center of excellence in terms of information in the country and be able to serve the community for the 15,000 students enrolled and for generations to come once it starts operations.”  On her part, the Rotary Dar Marathon Board Chairperson, Sharmila Bhatt said that the Rotary Dar Marathon intends to mobilize 10,000 walkers and runners during the October event. She noted that, the club aims to raise over 500 million shillings towards this cause. The marathon will also draw professional runners from across the world with the attractive cash prizes for the winners.” However, she noted that, this year, the Rotary Dar Marathon continues with the same theme “Empowering Future Leaders through education” and funds raised will go towards the refurbishment of a resource centre at UDSM by providing a setup of another 85-seater thin-client computer network with all software and to support disability access. According to her, the Rotary club in Tanzania has grown and will continue to grow with partners like Bank M Ltd and others with a view to make changes in communities.  She noted among the mostly landmark the club is proud of is the recent construction of the Rotary Oncology Pediatric ward at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) which will make a significant impact to the survival rate of cancer in children in Tanzania.” Rotary international is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are business leaders who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace and eradicate poverty.